Veteran comedian Richard Lewis, just past his 60th birthday, is best
known now for being one of Larry David’s antagonists on “Curb Your
Enthusiasm,” and before that, for his depressed persona and
incorporation into his act of his own stories of battling drug and
alcohol demons.

In conversation, or more accurately monologue interrupted by the
occasional question from longtime friend and broadcaster Keith Olbermann
at the 92nd St. Y on April 27, Lewis showed that both his interests and
comedic capabilities are far beyond the aforementioned performances.

For one thing, Lewis’ concern about our country is such that he vowed to
work tirelessly for whoever the Democratic presidential nominee is, and
bemoaned the prolonged and continued US entanglement in Iraq.
Perceptively, he called the war uncannily the actions of a “dry drunk,”
employing his personal recovery perspective to shed light on President
Bush’s character. It’s the sort of insight Lenny Bruce had about Vietnam
and censorship, with the added benefit of having survived far longer
than Bruce could with his struggles.

The very rhythm of Lewis’ speech is quite reminiscent of Bruce, sharing
the same New York Jewish heritage of course. Lewis sees being a comedian
as exhibiting serenity in a cyclone -- like one of his heroes, Buster
Keaton, standing still in one of his films as a house crashes down all
around him.

Similarly, Lewis finds himself mystified about how any political figure
could get the country turned in a better direction. “When I had no money
… I didn’t need two televisions [like many have today]. I had one TV
with a shitty rabbit ears antenna. So if you have two televisions, give
one to somebody who doesn’t have a television. No one will do that,”
said Lewis, expressing a sentiment that obviously came from deep in his
heart.

Lewis does consider himself lucky to have survived the worst of his
substance abuse, and he has been sober 14 years, he says. But the first
intervention didn’t take, because no one had a game plan, and he was
able to lie his way out of going to a doctor or
New York drug rehab facility. So for
those who are trying to help someone, counsels Lewis, “have a game
plan.” The second time, his friends planned exactly where they would
take him, so he’s around today to relate this advice.

Public Affairs has just published a new edition of Richard Lewis’
“The Other Great Depression,” with a new afterword by the author. To
purchase: